To get an idea of two of the public education system’s great thinkers, Horace Mann and John Dewey, please watch the following YouTube videos and review segments of the PBS website Only a Teacher.
Horace Mann (1796-1859)
Horace Mann- The Father of American Education (about 10 minutes)
Please read the following summary based on the research I did into the topics of the Dewey and Mann on democracy and education, and using experiences in nature for authentic learning.
Now that you have an initial understanding of Horace Mann and John Dewey; the following video and website review will guide you in thinking about one of Dewey’s core ideals in education; using experiences (in nature) to provide students with meaningful and authentic learning.
In the discussion thread, please answer the following questions:
How did the foundational thinkers in American public education view democracy in connection to education? How did they view society’s relationship with nature? Can we as a democratic society regain an engaged citizenry through the use of experiential learning and a connection to nature? Does this type of learning benefit students? If so, or not, why?
Democracy and Education
To get an idea of two of the public education system’s great thinkers, Horace Mann and John Dewey, please watch the following YouTube videos and review segments of the PBS website Only a Teacher.
Horace Mann (1796-1859)
- Horace Mann- The Father of American Education (about 10 minutes)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAnTmplQ_twJohn Dewey (1859-1952)
- John Dewey: HIS LIFE AND WORK (DAVIDSON FILMS ) (about 5 minutes)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8009791051515751015#Summary of research
Please read the following summary based on the research I did into the topics of the Dewey and Mann on democracy and education, and using experiences in nature for authentic learning.Experiential Learning
Now that you have an initial understanding of Horace Mann and John Dewey; the following video and website review will guide you in thinking about one of Dewey’s core ideals in education; using experiences (in nature) to provide students with meaningful and authentic learning.Please…
- Explore the Children & Nature Network website, http://www.childrenandnature.org/
In particular, the Research section for educators has an annotated bibliography: http://www.scribd.com/doc/54578337/CHILDREN%E2%80%99S-CONTACT-WITH-THE-OUTDOORS-AND-NATURE-A-FOCUS-ON-EDUCATORS-AND-EDUCATIONAL-SETTINGSDiscussion Questions
In the discussion thread, please answer the following questions:How did the foundational thinkers in American public education view democracy in connection to education? How did they view society’s relationship with nature? Can we as a democratic society regain an engaged citizenry through the use of experiential learning and a connection to nature? Does this type of learning benefit students? If so, or not, why?